Brazil hammer South Korea to book a spot in the quarters

Brazil cruised into the quarter-finals of the World in great style after a fantastic 4-1 win over South Korea at the Stadium 974.

Action: The Brazilians came out of the traps fast and imposed a high intensity style of play that the South Koreans simply couldn't cope with.

In the seventh minute, after good work from Raphinha on the right wing, the ball fell into the path of Vinicius Jr, who calmly picked his spot and bent the ball into the far corner. 

Just five minutes later, the Seleção doubled their lead. Jung Woo-Young missed the ball trying to clear his lines and instead kicked Richarlison. From the penalty spot, Neymar made no mistake to score his 76th goal for Brazil.

South Korea wanted to react and they nearly did through Wolves' Hwang Hee-Chan, who fired a shot from 25 yards which forced Alisson into a cracking save.

On the half-hour mark, Brazil added a third after some superb team work as Thiago Silva played a perfect ball to Richarlison, who slotted home past Kim Seung-gyu.

Paulo Bento's men looked in shock and Brazil mercilessly put the game to bed as Lucas Paquetá volleyed in a fourth with 37 minutes on the clock.

Brazil slowed down in the second half and allowed the Taegeuk Warriors to score a consolation goal 13 minutes from time through substitute Paik Seung-Ho, who struck an effort from 25 yards after reacting quickest to a cleared free-kick.

Tite's men will now face Croatia in the quarter-finals on Friday and the winners will then take on Netherlands or Argentina next week.

Man of the match: Richarlison. He looks at a different level for Brazil and has been a key player for them so far in the tournament. Let's see if he can maintain this level when he returns to Tottenham and the Premier League.

Reaction: Neymar on his injury during the World Cup: " I was very scared because I was doing very well, after a very good season. Suffering an injury like I did is very hard. I spent the night of the next day crying a lot. My family knows, but it all worked out. It was worth the effort."

And talking about Brazil's chances: "It's definitely time to go further. We dream about the title, but we have to go step by step. It was the fourth game today, three to go. We are very prepared, with our heads focused on getting this title."

xG: Brazil (3.65) 4-1 (0.59) South Korea

Stat of the Day: Brazil have now used all 26 members of their squad at the 2022 World Cup (including three goalkeepers), becoming the first side in World Cup history to use 26 players in a single edition.